The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday there is no constitutional provision that can serve as their basis to conduct a snap election proposed by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano to serve as a political reset for the country.
In a radio interview, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said ''on the part of the Comelec, we cannot conduct an election, special or snap election or whatever we may call such an election, without a law."
"There must be a mandate from a law because the role of the Comelec is to enforce an election law. Without such a law, we cannot conduct that kind of election," he added.
The poll chief, however, said it is open to conduct a snap election if a law is passed.
"If they can really remedy this through legislation or changing our existing laws, the Comelec would be willing. We are ready to hold such an election, if that is what they want," he said.
On Sunday, Cayetano called on all government officials to resign, and give way to a snap election for a complete new set of leaders.
Cayetano said this could be the only way to rebuild public trust in political institutions amid issues of corruption.
Senate President Tito Sotto said Cayetano's suggestion would introduce uncertainty.
''Why lump those who were just elected and who have good records with others?,'' he said. DMS